AboutDr. Bruce Forciea Expertise I can handle most questions regarding sports injuries, conditioning, jumps, spins, and basic skating.
Experience Professional skating coach for 15 years. Former PSA Senior rated coach and ice show performer. Now a chiropractor and full-time college instructor in anatomy and physiology.
Organizations Human Anatomy and Physiology Society
Wisconsin Chiropractic Association
Publications Wisconsin Technical College System course in General and Advanced anatomy and physiology.
Author of Unlocking the Healing Code, a book on healing scheduled for release in December, 2007.
Education/Credentials Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker College.
B.A. Psychology Eckerd College
Awards and Honors Midwestern Novice and Junior Pairs Champion and National competitor.
Question I pulled my hamstring about a week and a half ago and I just started physical therapy three days ago. I had a huge bruise on the back of my leg and it is starting to go away and I am able to stretch my leg more now. I am supposed to go back to skating in a week and two days. How long does a hamstring pull usually take to heal and according to my info do you think I will be ready to go back to skating then? Thank you!
Answer Hi Lucy;
Healing depends on the severity of the injury and the health of the person.
When the force exceeds what the tissue can handle the tissue becomes damaged. Both sprains and strains are graded 1, 2, or 3. In a first degree injury 0 to 25% of the fibers are torn. These injuries typically take 1-2 weeks to heal.
A second degree injury is characterized by 25% to 50% of the fibers torn. These usually take from 2-4 weeks to heal.
Third degree injuries are the most severe with greater than 50% of the fibers torn. These injuries take at least 12 weeks to heal.
Since you received PT I am assuming you have a grade 2 strain so you fall in the 2-4 weeks healing time category. If you go back now you will be at the short end of the healing process.
What I used to do with competitive skaters is to let them skate during the healing process. However they were very restricted in what they could do. Basically I just let them skate forward, backward, and practice turns or moves in the field. No jumps or spins.
I would suggest you talk with your PT on this. Perhaps you can put together a modified skating program during your healing time.
